Emergency and Critical Care Residency

Program Description

This three year training program in small animal emergency and critical care medicine provides exposure to a large number of cases within a fully-staffed emergency service and intensive care unit. The cases are around 60% referrals and 40% walk-in emergencies. The residents rotate between the Emergency and Critical Care Service at the University of Florida (3/4 of the time) and between the satellite emergency clinic (1/4 of the time) 35 miles south of Gainesville. Instruction in the medical and surgical disciplines necessary for emergency and critical care training is provided through clinical rotations. In addition, training is provided through rotations in anesthesia, cardiology, internal medicine, neurology, radiology, soft tissue surgery. The emergency critical care service is also in charge of the busy hemodialysis program at the University of Florida. Emergency critical care residents will obtain intensive training in hemodialysis and extracorporeal blood purification. Under the supervision of boarded faculty members, the residents manage cases and teach the interns and veterinary students. This program also maintains a strong emphasis on original research to advance the field of veterinary critical care. The resident must identify a project and develop a research protocol (generally during the first year of the program) and complete the project (generally during the second year). The data must be analyzed, prepared for publication, and submitted to a peer reviewed journal. Completion of the project and submission of the manuscript is a requirement for successful completion of the residency.

Residents will also spend a portion of their time in a state of the art satellite emergency facility located only forty minutes away in Ocala, Florida. The satellite clinic provides a unique experience similar to that in a private practice including primary soft tissue surgical experience. Much of the time spend is working alongside a faculty member.

The program will prepare the resident for the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

The residents participate in daily rounds, resident seminars, faculty lectures for residents, Journal Club, board review sessions, and other rounds at the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital. Residents work closely with six boarded ACVECC diplomates and faculty ER doctors. Residents must be available to work any day of the week and during overnight hours throughout the year. Residents will be expected to prepare one first author manuscript, will present morbidity and mortality rounds yearly and will present Grand Rounds twice during their residency.

Resident Selection Procedure

Residents are recruited from internship programs or private practices. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent is a prerequisite. Small Animal Medicine faculty and residents evaluate the application pool and final selection of the resident is done via the Veterinary Intern/Resident Matching Program (VIRMP).

Selection will be based on:

  • VIRMP Application
  • Veterinary School Official Transcript from University Registrar
  • Personal Statement
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • 3 – 4 Standardized Letters of Reference from faculty members acquainted with the applicant’s clinical skills during internship or equivalent clinical training.